Symptoms of Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is a disease that is a concern for, not only women, but for men as well. While it is true that breast cancer is a disease that typically affects women, the symptoms of breast cancer can also occur in men, particularly if the individual has a history the illness in his family; in truth, each year, one percent of breast cancer cases involve men. More than 178,000 women and 2300 men are victims of this terrible and potentially life threatening disease annually.
There are a number of different causes related to the onset of Breast Cancer such as factors of heredity, age, gender, race, and lifestyle factors. Familial history of the disease increases the likelihood of getting breast cancer in some instances. Excessive or prolonged exposure to certain hormones is also been associated with the onset of breast cancer. Meanwhile, lifestyle choices may also increase the chances that an individual will develop the disease: smoking and alcohol use have been linked to the development of breast cancer in some instances.
Breast cancer symptoms do not appear when the disease first starts. At first, an individual that has breast cancer may not even be aware that the disease has begun: there is often no pain or any signs that breast cancer cells have begun to form at the diseases onset. Later, as the disease progresses, the individual with breast cancer may discover a lump in the area beneath the armpit, in one of his or her breasts or in the region of the collar bone. In some instances, the individual that has developed breast cancer will notice a discharge, one that sometimes contains blood that comes from the nipple of the affected breast(s). It should be noted that a lump in the breast and discharge are not always symptoms of breast cancer, but they are symptoms that need to be fully investigated and evaluated by a qualified physician.
In addition to the above mention symptoms, individuals with breast cancer may also develop an inverted nipple or inflamed skin in the region of the breast. There are different types of breast cancer and different symptoms associated with each type. The only way to really know if an individual has breast cancer is to address symptoms when they appear and to have the appropriate tests implemented by a doctor. Testing can include a mammogram, an ultrasound, and/or a biopsy to determine if a lump is cancerous.